Applicator



Feb. 12, 1963 Filed Feb. 24. 1959 H. H. RABELOW APPLICATOR FIGI.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. l2, 1963 H. H. RABELow 3,076,995

APPLICATOR Filed Feb. 24, 1959 2 sheets-sheet 2 Unitcd States Patent 3,076,995 APPLICATGR Harold H. Rabelow, Marion, lil., assigner to Dagraph- Bradley Industries Inc., Herrin, Ill., a corporation of Missouri t Filed Feb. 24, 1959, Ser. No. 794,977 12 Claims. (Cl. 15-562) This invention relates to applicators for ink or the like, and more particularly to applicators of the fountain type for stencilling or similar operations.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 555,427, led December 27, 1955, for Applicator, issued as U.S. Patent No. 2,932,045, April 12, 1960.

Among the several objects of the invention may be noted the provision of improved roller applicators particularly for applying ink in stencilling operations which enable increased speed in such operations; the provision of applicators of this class which eliminate any necessity for accessory equipment such as ink pads, stamp pads, etc., the applicators being of the fountain type and holding their own supply of ink or other liquid; the provision of applicators of this class which enable the use of a relatively thick ink; the provision of applicators of this class of such construction as to avoid spattering of ink; the provision of applicators of this class which may or may not have valve means for controlling the flow of ink to the roller; and the provision of applicators of the class described which are economical to manufacture and reliable in operation. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructio-ns hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which several of various possible embodiments of the invention are illustrated,

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a valved rigid container type of applicator constructed in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the applicator, with parts broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a valved force-feed squeezeaction type of applicator constructed in accordance with this invention;

FiG. 5 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are vertical transverse sections taken on lines 6-6 and 7 7, respectively, of FIG. 5

FIG. 8 is a `fragrrientary section illustrating ya nonvalved modification of the force-feed squeeze-action type of applicator; and,

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary section similar to FIG. 8 illustrating another non-valved modification.

Corresponding reference characters indicate correspending part throughout the several views of the draw,- ings.

3,976,995 Patented Feb. 12, 1963 liquid (ink) from the container to the roller 5, and valve means generally designated 13 for controlling the flow of liquid from the reservoir to the roller.

The body 3 consists of a metal casting of T-shape in plan, thereby providing an elongate head 15 (the head of the T) and a stem 17 extending centrally from the head. The head 15 is formed generally of angle shape in cross section. One wing 19 of the angle section constitutes a top wing. The other wing 21 constitutes a rear wing. Stem 17 projects centr-ally from the rear wing 21. Interiorly, the angle section head has an arcuate surface 23 defining an arcuate recess 25 extending lengthwise of the head from one end thereof to the other. A dovetail groove 27 is provided extending lengthwise and centrally of the surface 23 from one end of the head to the other. A hole 29 is bored in the central portion of the head 15 extending lengthwise of the head from one end thereof and terminating short of the other end of the' head. This hole, which parallels the groove 27, provides a manifold passage constituting part of the aforesaid passage 11. Holes 31 are drilled in the head from the bottom of groove 27 to intersections with the hole 29. These holes 31, four of which are shown, are spaced along the length of groove 27 and hole 29.

The roller 5 comprises a rigid core 33 which may be made of hardwood, for example, having a soft, resilient porous covering or sleeve 35 adhered thereto. This covering is preferably made of a very soft foam rubber. The Iroller is carried by a support 37 constituted by a metal rod bent into the shape of a J, thereby having a short end portion 39 and a long portion 41 parallel to one another, with an arm portion 43 joining one end of the short end portion 39 to one end of the long portion 41. The short end portion 39 is received in the end of hole 29 in the head, and plugs the end of the hole. End portion 39 is retained in the hole 29 by means of a pin 45 driven in a hole 47 in the head and through a hole 49 in part 39. Part 39 is short so that it does not block any of holes 31. Arm 43 extends from the head in the central plane of the angle shape of the head at one end of the head, and part 41 extends parallel to the head opposed to and spaced from the arcuate interior surface 23 of the head a distance somewhat greater than the radius of roller 5. The core of roller 5 has an axial hole 51 drilled through it receiving the part 41, the latter serving as an axle for the roller. Axle part 41 is formed with outwardly extending projections 53 adjacent arm 43, these projections serving as stops for a washer 55 on axle part 41 engageable by one end of the roller. The free end of axle part 41 is threaded as indicated at 57 to receive an acorn nut 59 to hold the roller on leg 41, with a washer 61 between the nut and the respective end of the roller. A strip 63 of felt or other suitable porous resilient material is received in the groove 27 and retained therein by the dovetail shape of the groove, this strip being resiliently engageable with the peripheral surl face -of the roller 5 and serving as a transfermember ex- Referring to FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, a valved rigid:

through generally indicated at 11 in FIG. 2 for How of tending lengthwise of the arcuate recess 25 in the head for distributing ink over the surface of lthe roller.

The stem 17 is of cylindrical form. It has a reduced-t diameter hollow end portion 65. The latter is externallyl threaded for attachment of the container or barrel 7; A gasket 67 is provided between the end of the barrel 7' and the shoulder 69 at the inner end of portion 65 for sealing aga-inst leakage. A hole 71 is drilled into the stern from the bottom thereof to provide an inlet chamber 73.

A' plug 75 is threaded into the end of the hole 71 to close the inlet chamber. A hole 77 is drilled endwise ofthe stem into the hole 71 to provide a passage for ilow of ink from the barrel 7 to the inlet chamber 73.

Extending inward from the inner end of the inlet chamw ber is a discharge opening 79 of smaller diameter than the inlet chamber. Extending inward from the inner end of the discharge opening 79 is a hole 81 of smaller diameter than the discharge opening. Hole 81 opens into a 4recess 83 formed by a hole drilled in the stem 17 from the top opposite the inlet chamber 73.

A cup-shaped bushing 85 is `threaded 4in the recess 83. The bot-tom of the bushing has a central hole 87 registering with hole 31. A push button 89 is slidable in the bushing. A valve stem 91 extends down from the push button through holes 87 and 31 and the discharge opening 79. A packing washer 92 is provided for the valve stern 91 in the bottom of the bushing. On the lower end of the stem is a conical valve member 93. This is engage- .able with a tapered valve seat 95 sur-rounding the lower end of discharge opening 79 at the inner end of inlet chamber 73. A spring 97 reacts from the packing washer 92 at the bottom of the cup-shaped bushing 85 against the bottom of the button 89 t-o bias the latter and the valve stem 91 and valve member 93 upward to a closed position wherein .the valve member 93 engages the seat 95 and the button 89 projects out of the recess 83. A central axial hole 99 is drilled through the stem 17 and head 15 to intersect the discharge opening 79 and the manifold passage 29. The outer end of this hole is plugged as indicated at 100. Hole 99 provides a passage for ow of ink from 4the discharge opening 79 to the manifold passage l29.

Operation of the applicator shown in FIGS. 1-3 is as follows:

, For lling the bar-rel 7 with ink, it is unscrewed from stem 17. After it has been filled with ink, it is screwed back on stern 17, care being taken to insure tight sealing of .the end of the barrel against gasket 67 to avoid leaklage. Ink enters inlet chamber 73 from the barrel through hole 77. Normally, for stencilling operations, with the lbarrel 7 grasped in the hand, the barrel is angled downward toward the head for gravity ow of ink from the barrel into the inlet chamber and from discharge opening 79 through passage 99 to manifold passage 29 when the valve member 93 is open. To open the valve, button S9 is pushed down with the thumb, being conveniently 1ocated for this purpose. When the button is pushed down, valve member 93 is moved away from the valve seat 95 for llow of ink yfrom the inlet chamber 73 through discharge opening 79,` passage 99, manifold passage 29 and holes 31 to the felt strip 63. The strip 63 becomes soaked with .inkA and, as the roller 5 is rolled back and forth over a stencil, it applies ink to the roller distributed over the length of the roller. It is possible that in some instances where the applicator is to be used frequently rather than infrequently, the strip 63 (and groove 27) may be omitted, in which case the flow of ink is from holes 31 directly lon to the roller. Spattering or splashingof ink is prevented by wings 19 and 21. When the button 89 is released, the valve member 93 is returned 'to closed position engaging seat 9S by the return spring 97. Cleaning may be readily effected by removing the barrel 7 and the plug 75. v

Referring to FIGS. 4-7 of the drawings, a valved forcefeed squeeze-action type of fountain roller applicator of this invention is generally designated 101. This comprises a body 103 similar to body 3, a roller 5 the same as that of FIGS. 1-3, yand a collapsible container 107 constituting a reservoir for ink or the like and forming ai handle. As shown, container 107 is a plastic squeeze bottle (molded of polyethylene, for example), having an externally threaded neck 109 by means of which it is detachably connected to the body 103. The latter has a passage generally indicated at 111 in FIG. 5 for flow of liquid (ink) from the container to the roller 5, and valve means generally designated 113 for controlling the flow ofliquid from the bottle to the roller. l

The, body 103 of FIGS. 4 and 5 corresponds to body of FIGS. 1'-3 in consisting of a metal casting of T-shape in plan, thereby providing an elongate headrl and a stem 17. Again, the head 15 has the wings 19 and 21, the arcuate surface 21 defining the arcuate recess 25, the dovetail groove 27, the hole 29 constituting a manifold passage, and the holes 31. Again, the roller S comprises rigid core 33 having covering or sleeve 35, carried by the same support 37 and in the same manner as in FIGS. 1-3, with the strip 63 of felt or the like in the dovetail groove 27. The stem 17, however, is different from that of FIGS. l-3 in being formed to provide an internally threaded socket 115, with a cylindrical chamber or recess 117 of smaller diameter than the socket at the inner end of the socket and coaxial with the socket. An axial hole 119 (corresponding to hole 99 of FIGS. 2 and 3) extends from recess 117 to the manifold passage 29.

The valve means 113 comprises a valve seat 121 constituted by a metal disk having a central port 123 and a tubular extension 125. A conical valve 127 made of corrosion-resistant metal has a stem 129 extending through the port 123 and extension 125. The valve seat 121 is fitted in the socket seated against the shoulder 131 at the inner end of the socket, with extension 125 extending outward. The valve 127 is located on the side of the valve seat toward the recess 117, and the stem 129 eX tends outward through the port 123. A sheet metal spring retainer member 133 is xed on the outer end of the valve stem 129 as by riveting. A coil compression spring 135 surrounds the stem 129 between the valve seat 121 and the member 133 and biases the valve 127 to a closed position seating against the seat 121. The port 123 in the valve seat is larger than the valve stem 129 so that liquid (ink) may flow through the port when the valve is opened, i.e., when the valve and valve stem are moved from the closed position shown in FIG. 5 to the left. The end of the port 123 toward the recess 117 is tapered as indicated at 137 to receive the conical valve 127. In the taper 137 is a small groove 139 (see FIG. 7).

The neck 109 of the squeeze bottle 107 is removably threaded in the socket 115 with the end of the neck engaging the valve seat 121 to hold the latter in place. The bottle 107 is screwed tightly into the socket in order to form -a liquid-tight seal between the end of the neck and the valve seat and between the valve seat and the socket. The member 133 on the outer end of the valve stem is sized to tit within the neck of the bottle and to act as a guide to prevent tilting of the valve stem 129 and valve 127 when the bottle is in place. Member 133 is also formed to allow for flow of liquid (ink) therearound and for ow of air therearound into the bottle. For' this purpose, it may be made of cruciform shape as vshown in FIG. 6. Any other shape is suitable as long as it provides for guiding of the valve stem in the neck of the bottle and for passage of ink and air around the mem ber 133.

Operation of the applicator shown in FIGS. 4-7 is as follows:

For filling the bottle 107 with ink, it is removed from the head 15 by unscrewing it from the socket 115. After it has been lled with ink'it is then screwed back into the socket. Care istaken to insure that the end of the neck 109 of the bottle seats tightly against the valve seat 121 to provide for sealing against leakage. When the neck of the bottle is screwed into the socket, the guide member -133 enters the neck of the bottle as shown in FIG. 5. By squeezing the bottle 107, pressure is applied to the valve 127 to cause it to open and to elfect force-feed flow of ink from the bottle into the chamber or recess 117, thence through the hole 119 to the manifold passage 29, and thence out through the holes 31 to the felt strip 63. The strip 613 becomes soaked with ink, and, as the roller 5 is rolled back and forth over a stencil, it applies ink to the roller distributed over the length of the roller. As before, in Asome instances, strip 63v (and groove 27) may be omitted. Spattering or splashing of ink is prevented by the wings 19 and 21. When pressure on the bottle is 5. released, the valve 127 closes, but air'ows past the valve back into the bottle through the passage constituted by the groove 139 and the port 123 and around the member 133 quickly to restore the bottle to its expanded state. The groove 139 is suciently l-arge readily to allow for ow of air but too small to allow any undue leakage of the ink (which is thick) when the valve 127 is closed.

The above-described squeeze-action type of applicator is especially suitable for the application of heavy viscosity ink because it enables the ink to be pumped out of the bottle and eliminates any necessity for waiting for gravity feed of ink, thereby saving time. It will be observed that by removing the bottle 107 the entire valve means 113 is readily accessible for cleaning when necessary.

FIG. 8 illustrates a modification of the squeeze bottle type of applicator of FIGS. 4-7 wherein instead of controlling the flow of ink by means of a valve, the flow is controlled by a plug 141 of porous material disposed in the recess 117 between the bottle and the manifold passage 29, this plug being adapted to prevent How or leakage of ink from the bottle even when the neck of the bottle is directed downward unless the bottle is squeezed. The plug is sufficiently porous that, when the bottle is squeezed to apply pressure to the ink, ink is forced through the plug to the manifold passage 29. The plug is held in the recess by a member 143 which may be generally identical to the valve seat 121 of FIG. 5. A packing ring 145 is interposed between member 143 and the shoulder 131 at the inner end of socket 115. The plug may, for example, comprise a disk of felt ranging in thickness from about 0.224 inch to about 0.276 inch, cut from felt stock of such thickness having a density ranging from 1.96 pounds to 2.28 pounds per square yard. The hole or port 147 in member 143 should then be about 0.204 inch in diameter.

FIG. 9 illustrates another possible modification which may be used where very thick ink is to be dispensed, and which is identical to FG. 8 except that the felt plug 141 is omitted, and small holes such as indicated at 149 in FIG. 9 are provided in the felt strip 63 generally in line with holes 31 in the head. The diameter of these holes in relation to the viscosity of the ink is such that ow or leakage of the very thick ink is prevented unless the bottle is squeezed.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

l claim:

1. An applicator for liquid such as ink comprising a head, said head having a hole therein providing a manifold passage extending from one end of the head to near its other end, a rod having an end portion received in and closing the end of said hole at said one end of the head, an arm portion extending laterally with respect to the head, and a roller-carrying axle portion extending parallel to the head, a roller journalled on said axle portion, said head having a series of holes extending laterally from said manifold passage and spaced at intervals along the length of the manifold passage for supplying liquid from the manifold passage to the roller, and a reservoir forming a handle on the head, said reservoir being rernovably attached to the head, said head having a passage for flow of liquid from the reservoir to the manifold passage.

2. An applicator as set forth in claim 1 further cornprising means in the head for controlling the ow of liquid from the reservoir to said manifold passage.

3. An applicator as set forth in claim 2 wherein the reservoir is constituted by a rigid container and said flowcontrolling means is a push button valve means.

4. An applicator as set forth in claim 2 wherein the reservoir is constituted by a squeeze bottle and said flowcontrolling means comprises valve means adapted to open in response to squeezing of the bottle.

5. An applicator as set forth in claim 2l wherein the reservoir is constituted by a squeeze bottle and said owcontrolling means comprises a porous member adapted to block flow except when the bottle is squeezed,

6. An applicator as set forth in claim 5 wherein said porous member comprises a felt plug between the bottle and the manifold passage.

7. An applicator for ink or the like comprising an elongate head having a recess extending lengthwise thereof, said head having a hole therein providing a manifold passage extending from one end of the head to near its other end, a rod having an end portion received in and closing the end of said hole at said one end. of the head, an arm portion extending laterally with respect to the head, and a roller-carrying axle portion extending parallel to the head outward of said recess, a roller journalled on said axle portion extending lengthwise of the head and partly in the recess, a transfer member carried by the head in the recess engageable by the roller, said head having a series of holes extending laterally from said manifold passage to the recess and spaced at intervals along the length of the manifold passage for supplying ink from the manifold passage to the transfer member, a stem extending centrally from one side of said head, a rigid container forming a handle detachably connected to the end of said stem, said stem having an inlet chamber at the bottom thereof, a passage for flow of ink or the like from the container to the inlet chamber, a discharge opening smaller than the inlet chamber leading from the inner end of the inlet chamber, a valve seat surrounding the end of the discharge opening at the inner end of the inlet chamber, a passage from said discharge opening to said manifold passage, a recess in the top of the stem opposite said inlet chamber, a push button slidable in said recess, a valve stem extending from said push button through the discharge opening, a valve member on the end of the valve stem in the inlet chamber engageable with the valve seat, and spring means biasing the push button, valve stern and valve member to a closed position in which the valve member engages the seat and the push button projects out of the recess.

8. An applicator as set forth in claim 7 wherein the passage from the discharge opening to the manifold passage is formed by a hole extending through the stem on the head and the head from the outer end. of the stem on the head to the manifold passage and intersecting the discharge opening, with means blocking the outer end of said hole outward of the discharge opening.

9. An applicator as set forth in claim 8 wherein the inlet chamber is formed by a hole in the bottom of the stem closed by a removable plug.

l0. An applicator as set forth in claim 9* wherein the stem on the head has a hole smaller than the discharge opening extending from the discharge opening to said recess, said valve stern extending through this hole, the spring means comprising a coil compression spring in said recess.

l1. An applicator for liquid such as ink comprising an elongate head, a roller carried by the head extending lengthwise thereof, said head having a manifold passage extending lengthwise thereof and a series of holes extending laterally from said manifold passage and spaced at intervals along the length of the passage for supplying liquid from the manifold passage to the roller, a squeeze bottle forming a handle detachably connected to the head and adapted to contain liquid for application to the roller, said head having a connecting passage for ow of liquid from the bottle to said manifold passage, and a porous plug in said connecting passage between the bttle and Sid manifold passage, said plug being adapted topblock flow from the bottle except when the bottle is squeezed.

12. An applicator for liquid such as ink comprising an elongate head, a roller carried by the head extending lengthwise thereof, said head having a manifold passage extending lengthwise thereof and a series of holes extending laterally from said manifold passage and spaced at intervals along the length of the passage for supplying liquid from the manifold passage to the roller, said head having a socket, a recess smaller than the socket at the inner end of the socket, and a passage from the recess to said manifold passage, a plug of porous material in said recess, a backfng member for said plug at the inner end of the socket having a hole for flow of liquid therethrough, and a squeeze bottle having a neck threaded in the socket and engaging said backing member, said plug being adapted to block ilow from the bottle except when the bottle is squeezed.-

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Tappan Sept. 27, Booraem Sept. 23, Smith Oct. 2, Garrecht Ian. 1, Waterman June 25, Ball July 6, Bachrach Dec. 15, Ritter Mar. 6, Wise July 29, Kaitul Jan. 2, Petersen Feb. 2, Barnes Nov. 1, James Nov. 18, 

1. AN APPLICATOR FOR LIQUID SUCH AS INK COMPRISING A HEAD, SAID HEAD HAVING A HOLE THEREIN PROVIDING A MANIFOLD PASSAGE EXTENDING FROM ONE END OF THE HEAD TO NEAR ITS OTHER END, A ROD HAVING AN END PORTION RECEIVED IN AND CLOSING THE END OF SAID HOLE AT SAID ONE END OF THE HEAD, AN ARM PORTION EXTENDING LATERALLY WITH RESPECT TO THE HEAD, AND A ROLLER-CARRYING AXLE PORTION EXTENDING PARALLEL TO THE HEAD, A ROLLER JOURNALLED ON SAID AXLE PORTION, SAID HEAD HAVING A SERIES OF HOLES EXTENDING LATERALLY FROM SAID MANIFOLD PASSAGE AND SPACED AT INTERVALS ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE MANIFOLD PASSAGE FOR SUPPLYING LIQUID FROM THE MANIFOLD PASSAGE TO THE ROLLER, AND A RESERVOIR FORMING A HANDLE ON THE HEAD, SAID RESERVOIR BEING REMOVABLY ATTACHED TO THE HEAD, SAID HEAD HAVING A PASSAGE FOR FLOW OF LIQUID FROM THE RESERVOIR TO THE MANIFOLD PASSAGE. 